MR MAPLE 71 



"The Sportsman," nth September 1891. 



" Then there was a hum of suppressed excitement. 

 Sir Tatton's yearlings were next on the list, and a 

 regular gathering of the clans of buyers took place. 

 Captain Machell, John Porter, Mr Maple, Sir Robert 

 Jardine, Robert Sherwood, Lord Marcus Beresford, and 

 I know not how many more, were there, not to mention 

 the gentleman who once mistook the eighteen-year-old 

 Chattanooga for a yearling, and on this occasion ventured 

 to impugn my judgment as to the St Simon colt. . . . 



11 And then came the son of St Simon and Plaisanterie. 

 I have already described him, and can only say that his 

 sale does not in the slightest degree alter my opinion of 

 him, one way or the other. He may train a trifle light 

 in the back. That is all that anyone can say against 

 him. Light or not, he is certain to race. Mr Tattersall 

 opined that many wanted this colt, and asked if any- 

 one would give 6000 guineas for him. People smiled 

 as if it were a joke, but it was no joking matter, for 

 sudden, sharp and decisive, from Mr Maple on the right- 

 hand corner came the bid of 4000 guineas. There was 

 a gasp of astonishment, and a really dramatic interval 

 of silence. Even Mr Tattersall seemed astonished, but 

 quickly recovering he endeavoured to rally Captain 

 Machell. ' That is your form, Captain Machell,' said 

 he, alluding doubtless to the purchase of Claremont 

 long years ago, but the Captain, bold man though he is, 

 was outfaced this time. For a short while it seemed 

 as if the colt would fall to this one single bid, but 

 Mr Weatherby joined issue cautiously. Mr Maple, 

 however, was altogether intolerant of opposition and 

 went up by leaps and bounds in his bids, while the other 



